Mercury: Victories

Mercury Bill Clears Committee in the U.S. House

October, 2009

Oceana was instrumental in clearing the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act (H.R. 2190) past a critical legislative hurdle, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), would require chlor-alkali plants to end their unnecessary use of mercury-based technology in chlorine and caustic soda production. Oceana is now working to ensure the bill’s passage in the Senate and on the House floor.

 

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Costco Joins the Green List

August, 2008

Costco, the nation’s largest wholesaler, agrees to post the FDA fish consumption advisory at the point of sale and adds almost 400 grocery stores to Oceana’s Green List.


Kroger and Harris Teeter Join the Green List

January, 2008

In response to a newly published Oceana report on the levels of mercury in grocery store seafood, both Kroger and Harris Teeter grocery companies begin to post the FDA fish consumption advisory at the point of sale. Kroger is the United States’ second largest grocery company and the addition of both companies added nearly 2,600 grocery stores to Oceana’s Green List.


ERCO Converts Port Edwards, Wisconsin Facility to Mercury-Free Technology

August, 2007

ERCO Worldwide announced it would switch to mercury-free technology at its Port Edwards, Wisconsin facility. ERCO’s switch eliminated Wisconsin’s largest source of mercury air pollution.


Pioneer Converts St. Gabriel, Lousiana Plant to Mercury-Free Technology

January, 2007

Pioneer announced that it would switch its St. Gabriel, Louisiana plant to membrane-cell technology (this factory is now owned by Olin Corp). This switch eliminated the largest source of mercury air pollution in the state.


SuperValu Stores Join the Green List

October, 2006

Oceana receives correspondence that SuperValu, the parent company to grocery stores like Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s and others, plans on posting the FDA advice at seafood counters. SuperValu is the country’s fourth largest grocery company and added nearly 1,400 grocery stores to Oceana’s Green List.


Trader Joe’s Joins the Green List

September, 2006

Trader Joe’s responds to inform Oceana it will post the FDA warning signs in all stores. VP for Marketing sends Oceana a copy of an email sent to all stores saying it’s required and that Regional VPs will be checking for signs. Oceana adds Trader Joe’s to the Green List. This was the same day that Clean Air Council, once again, held an event outside of a Trader Joe’s in Philadelphia. Trader Joe’s has over 300 grocery stores.


Whole Foods Joins the Green List

June, 2006

In a second high-level conference call between Whole Foods President Walter Robb and Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless, Whole Foods Markets commits to begin posting mercury warning signs at seafood counters across the country on September 1st. This was only hours before a scheduled press conference outside of their NYC store. Whole Foods operates almost 300 grocery stores nationwide.


OxyChem Makes Muscle Shoals, Alabama Facility Mercury-Free

April, 2006

OxyChem announced its decision to shift its chlorine production to a mercury-free facility and close its Muscle Shoals, Alabama chlorine plant by 2008. This action eliminated the top mercury polluter in the state. After this factory was shuttered, OxyChem announced it was a completely mercury-free company.


OxyChem Closes Delaware City Facility

October, 2005

OxyChem announced its decision to close its Delaware City, Delaware facility. This action eliminated the top mercury polluter in the state.